In this resource, you will find:

5 SIGNS THAT YOUR KIDS ARE READY FOR AN OVERNIGHT CAMP

Sending your kids to Overnight Camp is a big milestone – for them and for you. While every Camper is different and readiness doesn’t hinge on age alone, there are a few key indicators that can help you decide if you kid is ready for an overnight camp experience. Here are five signs to look for:

They can Manage Personal Hygiene Independently 🫧

Overnight camp is a wonderful place for kids to grow in independence, but there are some basic daily tasks Campers should already feel comfortable handling on their own.

Counselors are always nearby to guide and remind Campers when it’s time to shower, get dressed, or brush their teeth—but for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, Campers should be able to manage these tasks independently.

This includes:

• Showering on their own
• Washing their hair
• Using the bathroom independently
• Getting dressed
• Brushing their teeth

If your child can complete these tasks without hands-on assistance at home, that’s a strong sign they’re ready for camp life.

They can Sleep by Themselves in their Own Beds  🛏️

At overnight camp, Campers must sleep in their own beds at all times—this is an important safety rule. If your kids are still regularly waking up at night and climbing into your bed, it may be helpful to practice independent sleep before camp.

That said, some nighttime nerves—especially during the first few nights—are completely normal. Our counselors are trained and ready to support campers through these moments with reassurance, structure, and established bedtime routines.

They’ve had Successful Sleepovers Away from Home 😴

Past sleepover experiences can be a helpful indicator of readiness. This might include staying overnight at a friend’s house, with grandparents, or with another trusted family member.

If your kids have been able to sleep through the night away from home and manage missing home in healthy ways, they’re more likely ready for a longer overnight camp experience.

They Understand what an Overnight Camp is Like 📸

For many kids, anxiety comes from the unknown. Helping your kids understand what overnight camp looks like can make a big difference in how confident they feel.

Try the following:

• Showing them photos and videos from the camp
• Talking them through a typical day at camp
• Reading stories or watching videos about kids at camp

Even better, if they know another child their age who has attended the camp, hearing about camp through a fellow Camper’s perspective can build excitement and ease nerves in a way adults simply can’t.

They Express Interest or Enthusiasm in Going to Camp 😄

One of the biggest indicators of readiness is your kids’s own interest. Often, kids are ready for overnight camp before their parents are!

Still have questions or wondering if your child is ready for overnight camp? Our Customer Experience team would love to help! Reach out anytime at 844-WS-CAMPS or info@winshapecamps.org.

Our team is available during normal business hours. If we don’t answer, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

TIPS FOR PREPARING KIDS FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP

It’s completely normal for Campers—and parents—to feel nervous about overnight camp for the first time. If your child is anxious about going to camp (or if you are anxious about sending them), these tips can help prepare your family and ease some of your worries.

Talk with Them About What Camp will be Like

Start building excitement early by helping your child picture their days at camp. Talk through cabins, meals, activities, making new friends, and what a typical day might include.

Show them actual pictures and videos from the camp you’re looking into via the camp’s Website, Youtube, or Social media. Even better, let them talk with a friend who has already been to overnight camp—hearing about camp from another Camper’s perspective can make it feel more familiar and exciting.

The goal isn’t to cover every detail—it’s to help camp feel known instead of unknown.

You might say:

• “You’ll have a counselor who helps take care of your cabin.”
• “You’ll get to try things like archery, rock climbing and horseback riding.”
• “There will be lots of other kids there who are new too!”

PRO TIP: Sample Daily Schedules are available to view on our website–just scroll down on each of our Overnight Camps pages.

Let Them Help Choose Their Skills & Activities

When kids have a say, they feel more ownership—and more excitement. It also helps build confidence before they even arrive.

Sit down together when selecting activities and let them:

• Choose what sounds fun (even if it’s something new!)
• Try a mix of favorites and new experiences
• Feel heard in the decision-making process

👉 Click here to view all of the skills offered at each camp location

Note: Skill selections are typically due by early May for overnight camps.

Consider Allowing Them to Spend a Night Away from Home

If this will be their first overnight experience, a “practice run” can help.

Ensure Campers Are Prepared to Manage Their Own Personal Hygiene

Overnight camp builds independence—but there are a few basics Campers should already be ready to manage on their own.

Before camp, practice:

Send Them to Camp with a Friend

Going with a buddy can ease first-day nerves—but it’s not required for a great experience. If possible, invite a friend to register for the same session or connect with other families beforehand.

Once registered, you can also join our WinShape Moms Facebook Group to connect with other parents, find kids in the same session, and maybe even meet up beforehand so your Camper arrives with a familiar face.

Even if your Campers don’t know anyone, remind them:
“Everyone is there to make friends—and your counselors will help with that.”

Discuss Potential Worries

It’s okay to ask your kids what exactly they’re nervous about. Sometimes kids feel anxious but can’t quite explain why. Assure them that it’s normal to feel that way.

Reassure them:

• It’s okay to miss home
• Other kids will feel the same way
• You (their parents/guardians) aren’t going anywhere

Sharing a time when you felt nervous and how you worked through it can also help normalize those feelings.

Shop and Pack for Camp Together

Involving kids in the packing process helps them feel more prepared and in control of their camp experience.

PRO TIP: Let them choose a few fun items—like a special water bottle, a comfort item, or decorations for their bed.

Each overnight camp also features unique Camp-Wide Events that are created fresh each summer. These happen every night of camp and are often the moments Campers talk about the most—making them especially fun to shop and pack for!

Stay Positive

Kids take emotional cues from you.

Let your child know you’re confident they can have a great experience. Encourage them with positive language and avoid sharing your own worries—those can unintentionally increase their anxiety. Your attitude helps shape theirs–so lead with encouragement and trust.

Encourage them by saying things like:

“Have fun! I can’t wait to hear about everything you get to do at camp.”

Avoid statements like:

“I’ll come get you if you want me to,” or “Call anytime you miss me.”

ADDRESSING FIRST-TIME PARENT CONCERNS, FEARS, & QUESTIONS

Safety, Supervision, & Training

Will my kids be safe?

At WinShape Camps, safety is a top priority. We always have and always will take the physical, spiritual, and emotional safety of every Camper very seriously. We recognize the level of trust you give us when you send your kid to one of our experiences, and it is our promise to fully honor your trust by creating safe environments.

We create our safety policies in partnership with child safety professionals and our legal department. We train our staff on these policies and work to ensure that each Camper who attends WinShape Camps has a fun and safe experience. In an effort to diligently seek the highest level of Camper care, we have implemented a 360-degree approach to Camper safety.

👉 Visit our Safety page to learn more.

• HONOR CODE – WinShape Camps desires to promote an environment that is emotionally safe for everyone. Therefore, we will not tolerate profane language, poor sportsmanship, crude behavior, gossip, or idle talk. To help create a fun and exciting environment where each Camper feels welcomed and loved, we believe everyone should do their part in promoting a supportive and uplifting culture. Please see the Honor Code that serves as our standard for expected behavior below.

• MEDICAL SAFETY – Your Camper’s medical safety is extremely important to us, which is why we have a 24-hour Nursing Staff on site for whatever your Camper may need. Watch our Camp Nurse Interview for a deeper look into what Healthcare looks like at WinShape Camps.

For more information on specific policies, procedures, and expectations see the Healthcare at Camp section of your Camper Codebook.

• PHYSICAL SAFETY – At all of our camp locations, we enforce a strict 1-2 rule with all Campers. This ensures that Campers are always in groups of at least three. Along with this, we keep a ratio of 1 adult per 5-7 Campers at every camp. Below are additional steps we take to ensure that your Campers are physically safe and having fun!

• • • Guidelines for Appropriate Interactions
    • Partnerships with Local Authorities
    • Secure Check-In/Out Systems
    • Lifeguards & Swim Tests
    • Emergency Action Plans

• RECOGNIZE, RESIST, REPORT PHILOSOPHY – As a part of our safety training, we communicate the following action steps to Campers so they may be utilized, if needed.

• • Recognize what is an appropriate and inappropriate interaction.
  • Resist inappropriate interactions. You have the right to say “NO” to anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • Report what makes you feel uncomfortable or if rules have been broken. Tell Summer Staff or a Healthcare Team member. You may also put a note in the Say Anything Box.

• SAY ANYTHING BOX – Each camp location will provide a locked comment box at designated locations where Campers and Summer Staff can submit information anonymously. If Campers experience something that makes them feel uncomfortable and they do not feel comfortable talking to their leader about it, they are encouraged to write a note and leave it in the Say Anything Box.

Specific leadership staff will access these boxes, check them daily, and respond accordingly. An announcement about the location of the Say Anything Box will be made to all Campers.

How is Camper medication stored and administered throughout the session?

The Healthcare Team will take possession of all Camper medications during Check-In and confirm with the parent/guardian that the information in the Camper’s CampDoc profile is correct. Camper medications will be administered by the Healthcare Team at scheduled times, typically mealtimes and bedtime. All medications are kept with the Healthcare Team while Campers are on campus and stored in a locked cabinet, closet, or office between medication times.

Exceptions: Emergency medications, such as EpiPens and rescue inhalers, can be kept on the Camper during the Session, if both the parent and the Camper sign a medication release form at Check-In.

More details & information can be found under the FAQ section of your Camper Codebook.

What is the Staff-to-Camper ratio?

We have an excellent staff-to-Camper ratio of 1 Summer Staff to every 5-7 Campers, allowing each Camper to have specialized, individual attention from our staff.

What happens if my Camper gets sick at camp?

For more information on specific policies, procedures, and expectations see the Healthcare at Camp section of your Camper Codebook.

For headaches, stomachaches, or other discomforts, our Healthcare Team (HCT) is well stocked with many common over the counter (OTC) medicines. The HCT will assess the Camper, follow the WinShape Camps standing orders, and administer OTC medications as needed. OTC medications that the Healthcare Team keeps in stock at camp are listed below. Tablets, chewable tablets, and/or liquid options are available.

Advil/Ibuprofen | Benadryl/Diphenhydramine | Claritin/ Loratadine | Cough drops | Dramamine/Dimenhydrinate | Imodium/Loperamide | Milk of Magnesia | MiraLAX | Pepto/ Bismuth | Phenylephrine | Tums/Alcalak | Tylenol/Acetaminophen

How is camp prepared to take care of Campers with allergies?

Having a child with a severe allergy can be a major concern, especially when sending them to a place where you may not be as familiar with their exposure of the allergens. We understand that allergies are no joke, and want to make sure that our Campers are as safe and healthy as possible while they are under our care.

We pay close attention to the information provided by parents and doctors on our CampDoc and make sure that staffers are notified of all Campers’ allergies and health concerns. We are also a nut and allergy-aware campus. Nut products are not served at any of our WinShape Camps Overnight locations.

“They are in such great hands here! Parents do not have to worry, they will take care of you,” said one Mom whose camper experienced a medical emergency while both parents were out of the country. “The staffers are trained and the nurses are trained. They made sure we knew exactly what was going on with our son the entire week.”

How are Summer Staff hired & trained?

We are committed to your Camper’s safety and have a thorough hiring process – including an extensive application, reference checking, face-to-face interviews, background checks, and intensive training – all to ensure our Summer Staff are top-notch.

Core Training Areas & Examples:

• • Spiritual Development: Training on sharing the gospel, leading Bible studies and serving as Christian role models.
  • Safety & Security: Detailed protocols for physical, emotional, and spiritual safety, including emergency procedures.
  • Operational Skills: Training on “funnel of programming” (event management), themed activities, and managing specific camp skills (e.g., archery, rock climbing, swimming).
  • Camper Care: Techniques for engaging, encouraging, and supporting Campers aged 5-15.
  • Role-Specific Training: Specialized training for positions like worship leaders, production crew (video/sound), and counselors.

View our 2025 Staff Training highlight video for a glimpse into what Staff Training looks like at WinShape Camps.

Homesickness & Emotional Support

How is camp prepared to handle homesickness?

Overnight camping allows your Camper to develop a strong sense of personal responsibility and independence within the exciting atmosphere of camp. Homesickness can and does happen from time to time. We train our staff specifically to identify homesickness and care for Campers who may be experiencing it. We also keep our Campers’ days highly active. When they are having fun, they’re less likely to be homesick. If feelings of homesickness do arise, our staff can be trusted to walk through these feelings with your Camper.

Campers who walk through feelings of homesickness and overcome them usually experience an enhanced sense of accomplishment. As a Camper perseveres through the struggles that may come when they are away from home and what is familiar, they can grow tremendously! If the situation becomes serious, rest assured, we will contact you.

Parents may call the Camp Office at any time with concerns. Please allow staff the time to assess the situation and get back to you as quickly as schedules permit. We want to do all we can, in partnership with you, to ensure the best possible experience for your Camper!

Friendships & Social Dynamics

What if my child doesn’t know anyone at camp?/ Will my child make friends?

There are few things worse than going to a new place all by yourself, without any friends. Worse than this, is worrying about sending your own kids to a new place where they may be lonely.

While your child may not know anyone upon arrival at camp, you can be sure that this won’t last very long! All of our Campers are immediately adopted into culture groups with whom they will spend the majority of their time during camp. These culture groups — whether they are villages, squads, packs or clubs — are formed based on age & gender, to ensure that each Camper has the chance to get to know other campers similar to him or her!

Our staff are also there to facilitate those initial moments, and will ensure that every Camper feels seen, known, and loved during their time at camp!

This creates an ideal setting for Campers to form lifelong bonds and make lasting memories with new camp friends. One of the biggest reasons our Campers return to camp is to be with the friends they made summer after summer! Believe us when we say that camp besties are the best kind of friends!

“Don’t be afraid to come by yourself,” said one mom. “I know a lot of people come with friends, but our youngest didn’t know anybody his first summer and he is still friends with his cabin mates from the first summer. They’re already reminiscing about last year!”

How do you handle teasing/bullying?

In order to promote an emotionally safe environment for everyone, we maintain a zero-tolerant policy for bullying. We will not tolerate profane language, poor sportsmanship, crude behavior, gossip, or idle talk. To help create a fun and exciting environment where each Camper feels welcomed and loved, we believe everyone should do their part in promoting a supportive and uplifting culture.

Parents will be contacted if there is a continuous problem of non-participation in the program, bullying, stealing, telling inappropriate stories, using inappropriate language, or any other behavior that detracts from the Christian and wholesome environment WinShape Camps wishes to provide.

The use of alcohol, non-prescription drugs, or tobacco in any form, including vaping, is not permitted for Campers or staff. Violent, threatening, dishonest, dangerous, negative, or otherwise unsatisfactory behavior on the part of a Camper may result in a Camper being sent home and not being allowed to return to camp the following summer.

Please see the Honor Code that serves as our standard for expected behavior below.

Because I want to honor God, I will: be honest, be positive, show respect for staff, property, and other Campers.

Communication & Staying Connected

How can I contact my Camper while they’re at camp?

Your Camper can send letters the old-fashioned way—through good ol’ Snail Mail!

Each day, during scheduled rest time, Campers have a chance to receive letters and Care Packages and even write a few of their own. Summer Staff collect the letters and drop them in the mailbox, where they’re sent off with the mailman!

Want to make sure your Camper gets their Care Package right on time? The best way is to bring it with you to drop-off! While you can mail it, hand-delivering it ensures it arrives on the perfect day, and before the camp session is over.

• • Refer to Get-Ready Guides found under Important Links section of your WinShape Camps account for mailing information.

During camp, may I contact my Camper by phone or visit my Camper?

No—Campers are not permitted to make or receive telephone calls, and no visitation by parents, relatives, or friends is allowed. Experience has taught us that calls and visits may be very disruptive to a Camper as they settle into camp and may even cause homesickness. Homesickness can be prevented most successfully by creating a safe environment that provides engaging activities for the Campers to enjoy. You can most effectively empower your Camper by communicating your confidence in them and in our staff and by expressing your shared excitement for what they will experience while they are at camp.

If there is an emergency and you need to speak to camp personnel, please contact our office and we will relay a message to the appropriate person. Please allow ample time for camp staff to assess the situation and get back to you. Campers are not permitted to leave camp during the Week/Session (for vacations, practices, competitions, or any other events), except in the case of a family, medical, or other emergency and with the approval of the Camp Director.

Independence & Readiness Skills

What do campers need to be able to do independently?

Overnight camp is designed to help kids grow in independence—but there are a few skills Campers should already feel comfortable handling on their own before they arrive.

Our Summer Staff are always nearby to guide, encourage, and remind Campers throughout the day. However, for everyones’ safety and wellbeing, Campers should be able to manage the following basic responsibilities independently.

• • Shower independently
  • Wash their hair
  • Brush their teeth without assistance
  • Use the bathroom on their own
  • Get dressed independently
  • Sleep in their own beds

Ultimately, being ready for overnight camp isn’t about checking every box perfectly—it’s about giving your child a solid foundation to build on.

Camp is a place where independence grows through encouragement, routine, and supportive relationships. If your kids are curious and willing to try, they’re likely more ready than you think.

And remember, growth doesn’t just happen before camp—it happens at camp. If you’re unsure or just need help talking through your future Camper’s unique needs, our team is always here to partner with you and help you decide what’s best for your family.

Still have questions or wondering if your child is ready for overnight camp? Our Customer Experience team would love to help! Reach out anytime at 844-WS-CAMPS or info@winshapecamps.org.

Our team is available during normal business hours. If we don’t answer, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.